The Art of Glassblowing

 Born September 20, 1941 in Tacoma, Washington.  First melted glass and blew a bubble using glass melted in his ceramics kiln and a metal pipe.  First American glassblower to work in the Venini factory on the island of Murano.  Has founded many glass studios.  Lost the sight in his left eye due to a car accident in At this time, he had to give up full control of his glass making due to loss of depth perception.  In 1979, suffered a dislocated shoulder due to a body surfing accident, and lost the ability to gaffer his work.  Creates many different forms including baskets, cylinders, venetians, sea forms, macchia, ikebana, persians, towers, chandeliers, fiori, reeds and others.